Eritrea Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution in Eritrea due to travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, landmines, and wrongful detentions.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Eritrea, as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel outside of Asmara.

U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Eritrea, including dual U.S.-Eritrean nationals, have been arrested and detained without charge or on false charges. The Department has determined that the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the Eritrean government exists.

Eritrean law enforcement officials routinely block access by U.S. government officials to U.S. citizens in detention. The U.S. Embassy therefore may not receive notification of your arrest or be allowed access to you if you are detained or arrested.

There are landmines in many remote areas in Eritrea, particularly in Nakfa, AdiKeih, Arezza, the 25 mile-wide region (40 km) between the Setit and Mereb Rivers, and in areas north and west of Keren, areas near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, Dekemhare, and south of Tessenae.

• Review the Travel guidance for additional information on travel to Eritrea.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.

FCDO advises against all travel to within 25km of all of Eritrea’s land borders.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Eritrea.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are high. If a crisis develops in Eritrea, the situation could change quickly, including your ability to travel within Eritrea or leave the country. Practical support from the British government such as face-to-face consular support or evacuation may be severely limited in a crisis. Read our general guidance on consular support in a crisis.

Be prepared to re-arrange your own departure from Eritrea if a crisis develops. If it is not safe or possible to leave, you should:

• stay indoors whenever possible, and have a stock of essential supplies such as food, drinking water and medicine
• obey any local restrictions such as curfews
• monitor the media for developments that would allow you to leave safely

Support for British nationals in Eritrea

Consular support is severely limited in parts of Eritrea. Staff at the British Embassy in Asmara cannot offer support in person in areas of Eritrea where FCDO advises against travel. Diplomats at the British Embassy require travel permits from the Eritrean government to travel outside Asmara, which means the Embassy cannot always provide consular assistance in person in parts of Eritrea.

Due to the ongoing security situation, we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw the dependants of our UK staff in Eritrea. Our Embassy continues to operate.

The Eritrean authorities may not inform the British Embassy if a British national is in need of help. There have been instances where the Eritrean authorities have refused to give the Embassy consular access to detained foreign nationals.

If you’re in Eritrea and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked or arrested, or someone has died), get in touch using the below:

• during office hours, visit the British Embassy in Asmara at 66-68 Mariam Ghimbi Street. Office hours are Monday-Thursday between 8am and 4:30pm or Friday between 8am and 12:30pm
• for out of hours support, call the British Embassy Addis Ababa on +251 116 170 100 or the Foreign Office in London on +44 207 008 5000

British-Eritrean dual nationals

If you are a British-Eritrean dual national or are of Eritrean origin, the Eritrean authorities consider you to be an Eritrean national. You may therefore be subject to obligations including taxes and national service. This may apply if you hold identity documents issued by Eritrea’s Department of Immigration and Nationality, including out of date documents, or if you do not hold these documents but are of Eritrean origin. The British Embassy is unable to offer consular assistance to dual nationals in Eritrea.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Eritrea.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Eritrea

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Eritrea, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Military activity in the Red Sea area

Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should continue to monitor Travel Advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.

This section has safety advice for regions of Eritrea. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Military activity in the Red Sea area

There is a risk of military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that the situation could change at short notice. You should:

• read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• monitor local and international media for the latest information

Eritrea-Djibouti border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 25km of Eritrea’s border with Djibouti.

In 2008 there was fighting between Djibouti and Eritrea after an incursion of Eritrean forces into the disputed Djibouti border region. The situation remains fragile.

Eritrea-Ethiopia border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 25km of Eritrea’s border with Ethiopia because of military activity on both sides of the border.

Eritrea-Sudan border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 25km of Eritrea’s border with Sudan because of military activity on both sides of the border.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

ERITREA - AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

Avoid non-essential travel to Eritrea due to ongoing tensions and conflict with neighbouring countries.

Regional risks

Border areas - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to within 25 km of all border areas due to territorial conflicts, military activity and crime.

Military operations in Tigray

A cessation of hostilities agreement was signed on November 2, 2022, between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The security situation along the Eritrean borders with Ethiopia and Sudan remains uncertain despite this agreement.

Local authorities could impose additional security measures on short notice.

If you are in Eritrea:

• limit your movements
• ensure that your travel documents are up to date
• monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation

Border between Eritrea and Djibouti

Political tension and territorial conflicts continue to cause instability in the Eritrean-Djiboutian border area. Armed confrontations, violent incidents and military activities could occur.

Border between Eritrea and Ethiopia

The border with Ethiopia is still heavily militarized despite the peace agreement signed in 2018. Although the situation has stabilized in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the situation near the border remains volatile and armed conflict could erupt without notice.

All border crossings between Ethiopia and Eritrea are currently closed. There are also unmarked landmines in the border areas.

More information on landmines

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